Clasps for file cards and the like



March 19, 1963 v. v. DETWILER 3,081,775

CLASPS FOR FILE CARDS AND THE LIKE Filed March 21, 1960 '2 SheetsrSheet 1 ATTORNEY INVENTOR "Marh 1963 v. v. DETWJLER 3,081,775

CLASPS FQR FILE CARI-3S AND THE LIKE Filed March 21, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet -2 60 66 62 67 INVENTOR V/nfan 1/. Daimler BY & wWM,

' ATTORNEY 3,081,775 CLASPS FOR FILE CARDS AND THE LIKE Vinton V. Detwiler, 443 Glenn Road, State College, Pa. Filed Mar. 21, 196i), Ser. No. lfiASll 1 Claim. (Cl. 129-30) This invention relates to clasps for file cards and the like.

'Present day file cabinet drawers for file cards and file card trays are made with and without rods to fasten the file cards in the drawers or trays. Where rods are used, the file cards are not readily removable from the drawer, and this type of equipment is used where it is absolutely necessary to prevent the removal of cards or getting the cards out of order.

When drawers or trays without card retaining rods ar employed, the file cards are readily removable but are also apt to become lost or out of proper order while away from the cabinet drawer or tray.

In accordance with the present invention, means are provided to facilitate removing groups of file cards from drawers or trays for inspection at a desk or the like, but without the possibility of the cards getting out of order or becoming lost during use away from the regular storage compartment.

An object of the invention is therefore to provide a file card clasp capable of maintaining a large or small group of file cards in their proper order, while providing the convenience or rendering the group of cards readily removable from their regular storage compartment, for use at a remote location.

Another object of :the invention is to provide a file card clasp adapted to hold a group of file cards compactly for storage or loosely, so that the individual cards may be examined with convenience.

Still another object is to provide a card clasp of the above mentioned character formed essentially from only two basic pants or components which have relative move ment during use.

Another object is to provide a card clasp which is highly economical in construction, sturdy and durable, easy to operate and reliable and eificient in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a file card clasp according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, and showing the same holding a group of cards in a storage drawer,

FIGURE 1a is a fragmentary perspective view of the card clasp shown in FIGURE 1, removed from the drawer, and viewed from the opposite end thereof,

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged transverse vertical section taken substantially on line 22 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the card clasp according to the preferred embodiment of the invention,

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a file card clasp according to a modification of the invention,

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of the same,

FIGURE 6 is an end elevation of the card clasp in FIGURES 4 and 5,

FIGURE 7 is an end elevation of a card clasp according to a further modification of the invention,

FIGURE 8 is a side elevation of the same,

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the clasp shown in FIGURES 7 and 8,

FIGURE 10 is an end elevation of a card clasp according to a still further modification of the invention,

3,681,775 Patented Mar. 19, 1953 FIGURE 11 is a side elevation of the same,

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of the clasp illustrated in FIGURES 10 and 11.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown preferred embodiments of the invention, at tention is directed first to FIGURES 1 through 3, wherein the numeral 15 designates a conventional file card drawer or tray, within which the cards and their clasp according to the invention may be placed for regular storage, and from which the cards and clasp are readily removable bodily whenever it is desired to use the cards at a desk or the like.

As shown in the drawings, the clasp proper which forms the subject matter of the invention comprises an elongated generally U-shaped member 16 formed of heavy Wire or the like, and including spaced parallel sides 17 of any preferred length, connected at one corresponding pair of ends only by a transverse bight portion 18, integral therewith; The other ends of the sides 17 are free from connection and freely disposed upon the bottom of the drawer 15 or other supporting surface.

The card clasp further comprises a fiat rectangular follower plate 19 formed of sheet metal or the like, of a proper size to fit standard file card drawers or trays, and serving to back up a group of file cards in the usual manner, as illustrated throughout the drawings.

The follower plate 19 is provided near and above its lower end and near its transverse center with a pair of spaced openings 2%), slidably receiving the parallel sides of the U-shaped member 16 therethrough. Each file card of the groups shown in the drawings is likewise provided in the same location with a pair of spaced openings registering with the openings 20, and slidaioly receiving the sides 17 of the U-shaped member. The transverse bight portion 18 is disposed forwardly of the endmost .card in the group adapted to be held by the card clasp, as shown. Accordingly, the group of file cards is held captive on the rods or sides 1'7 of the U-shaped member 16, between the follower plate 19 and the bight pontion 18 of the U-shaped member.

The lower end of the follower plate 19 is formed to provide a transverse sleeve or knuckle 21, preferably integral with the follower plate, and arranged on the side thereof remote from the file cards. The knuckle 21 is slit near and inwardly of its opposite ends, as at 22, to provide for entrance into the knuckle of a pair of opposed extensions 23, carried by the lower ends of resilient wire arms 24.

The resilient arms 24 lie close to the adjacent side of the follower plate 19, and include generally horizontal although somewhat inclined transverse portions 25, and generally vertical relatively short portions 26, integral with the lower extensions 23 and portions 25. The transverse portions 25 of the arms 24 converge downwardly toward the transverse center of the follower plate 19, as clearly shown in FIGURE 2.

The resilient arms 24 further comprise laterally spaced upstanding handle extensions 27, which preferably diverge upwardly, and provided at their upper ends with integral eyes or loops 28, arranged substantially normal to the follower plate 19, to facilitate gripping the resilient arms 24- with the fingers. The lower ends of the handle extensions 27 are integrally connected With the transverse portions 25 by curved portions or shoulders 29, near and above the knuckle 21.

A pair of upstruck lugs 30 on the knuckle 21, formed by the slitting of the same at 22, engage tightly against the vertical portions 26 of the resilient arms 24, to hold the portions 26 closev to the follower plate 19 and to prevent rotation of the extensions 23 within the knuckle 21. The arm portions 26 are in effect fixedly clamped between the lugs 30 and the follower plate 19. The remainder of the arms 24 including the portions 25 and 27 are preferably spaced slightly from the follower plate 19. Slitting of the knuckle 21 may be omitted if extensions 23 are replaced by a solid wire integral with arms 24. Lugs 30 will then be formed by the stretching of the metal over portion 26 of arms 24 in rolling knuckle 21 over wire 23.

The sides or rods 17 of U-shaped member 16 engage above the arm portions 25, near and outwardly of the curved portions 29, FIGURE 2. The resilient arms 24 are tensioned so that their portion 29 constantly bear upwardly against the sides 17, to normally frictionally lock the follower plate 19 to the U-shaped member 16 in the selected adjusted position.

To release the frictional engagement of the arms 24 with the sides 17, it is merely necessary for the user to grasp the loops 28 with the fingers and draw the upstanding arm portions 27 together, and when this is done, the portions 29 and the inner ends of the portions 25 move downwardly somewhat, as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 2, and the arms 24 are then out of contact with the sides 17. This releases the follower plate 19 to move freely longitudinally along the sides of the U-shaped member 16, so that the file cards may be separated for inspection and the like. Whenever the handle portions 27 are released, the arm portions 25 will spring upwardly to their full line positions shown in FIGURE 2 and frictionally engage the sides 17 of the U-shaped member, to again frictionally lock the follower plate to such member.

It is thus seen that the file card clamp comprises essentially the U-shaped member 16, which is in the nature of a guide for the card follower plate 19. The cards are held captive upon the member 16, between the bight portion 13 thereof and the follower plate 19. The resilient arms 24, attached to the follower plate, are readily adjustable in the manner described to release the follower plate from the member or guide 16, so that the follower plate may be adjusted to any desired position along the length of the member 16, and frictionally secured in the selected adjusted position by merely releasing the arms 24 which are spring tensioned to frictionally en gage the sides of the member 16. With this arrangement of elements, any desired number of cards may be held upon the card clasp either loosely for inspection or tightly and in a compact manner for storage. The entire card clasp with the group of cards may be contained in the drawer for storage, or the card clasp and cards may be bodily removed from the drawer and carried to a desk or the like for use, without fear of losing the cards or having them get out of order. The invention thus imparts mobility to the file cards without the chance of the cards becoming lost or mis-arranged. With the conventional equipment of the prior art for storing file cards and the like, the cards are either not readily removable from the drawer or tray on the one hand, or are removable without any means to prevent their separation while away from the drawer on the other hand. The invention, therefore, satisfies a specific need which cannot be satisfied by known prior art devices.

In FIGURES 4 through 6 of the drawings, there is shown a modified form of file card clasp according to the invention for the same purposes, and having the same general mode of operation and the advantages over the prior art enumerated in connection with the preferred form of the invention.

In these figures, the numeral 31 designates a substantially U-shaped guide member, substantially identical to the member 1s and including spaced elongated parallel sides 32 of the desired length, connected at corresponding ends bya transverse bight portion 33, integral therewith. A follower plate 34 similar to the plate 19 is provided, and this follower plate has a pair of s aced openings 35, slidably receiving the sides 32 of member 31, as shown. The lower end of follower plate 34 carries an integral rearwardly extending generally horizontal flange 36, carrying a pair of knuckles 0r sleeves 37 at its opposite ends, and preferably formed integral therewith. A generally inverted V-shaped wire clamping bail or handle 38 is provided, having a pair of bottom laterally outwardly extending trunnion parts 39, mounted for rotation within the knuckles 37. The clamping bail 38 further comprises a pair of downwardly diverging arms 40, integral with the trunnion parts 39, and the tops of the arms 40 are integrally connected by a transverse curved portion 41, disposed near and spaced from the top of the follower plate 34, as shown. The arms 40 are bent intermediate their ends to form shoulders 42, engageable with the adjacent side of the follower plate 34 when the bail 33 is in the clamping position, FIGURE 5. The lower portions 43 of the arms 40 are then arranged substantially vertically, FIGURE 5, while the upper portions 44 of the arms are disposed in diverging relation to the follower plate 34, while the bail is in the clamping position. As shown in FIGURE 5, the file cards are held captive upon the U-shaped member 31, between the follower plate 34 and bight portion 33, in the same manner described and shown in FIGURE 3 in connection with the preferred form of the invention.

In use, the bail or handle 33 is swingable vertically around the axis of the trunnions parts 39 to position the bail in inactive or clamping positions relative to the sides 32. When the bail 38 is swung upwardly toward the position shown in FIGURE 5, the downwardly diverging arm portions 33 become frictionally wedged between the sides 32 of U-shaped member 31 and spread these sides apart into tight gripping engagement with the openings 35 of the follower plate 34, so that the latter is frictionally locked to the member 31 in the selected adjusted position. When the bail 38 is swung downwardly, as shown dotted in FIGURE 5, the arm portions 33 disengage the sides 32 and release the follower plate 34, so that the same may be freely adjusted lengthwise of the sides 32 of U- shaped member 31. The operation of the clasp shown in FIGURES 4 through 6 in connection with the file cards is generally the same as described above in connection with the preferred form of the invention, and no further description of the operation is believed to be necessary in connection with FIGURES 4 through 6.

In FIGURES 7 through 9, there is shown another modification of the invention, wherein the follower plate common to the prior forms of the invention is eliminated, and the file card clasp comprises two relatively movable parts only, both preferably formed of Wire.

With reference to FIGURES 7 through 9, the numeral 45 designates the U-shaped wire member or guide, substantially identical with the members 16 and 31 previously described, and including sides 46 and a transverse bight portion 47 connecting the sides 46 at corresponding ends thereof.

A combined card follower and clamp 48, preferably formed from a single section of wire comprises a pair of spaced parallel eyes or sleeves 49, formed from a plurality of helical loops of the wire, such eyes or sleeves 49 slidably receiving the sides 46 therein, as shown. Corresponding ends of the eyes 49 are connected by a transverse bar 50, integral therewith, and extending across the top of the member 45.

Depending vertically elongated loops 51 are formed 'integ-ral with the opposite ends of the coiled eyes 49, and these loops project below the U-shaped member 45 and the eyes 49 for some distance, as indicated in FIGURES 7 and 8. Upstanding generally vertical resilient arms 52 are integrally connected with the inner sides of the depending loops 51, and extend above the U-shaped member 45 for substantial distances in spaced apart parallel relation as shown in FIGURE 10. The arms 52 preferably carry curved substantially closed operating eyes 53, at their upper ends, to be grasped conveniently by the fingers.

The eyes 53 are preferably in planes parallel to the sides 46, as shown.

Curved shoulders 54 join the lower ends of the arms 52 with the inner upwardly diverging portions 55 of the loops 51, as best shown in FIGURE 10.

The coils or convolutions of the wire sleeves 49 tension the arms 52 outwardly, so that the shoulders 54 normally bear against the sides 46 of U-shaped member 45 and spread these sides apart and into frictional contact with the outer sides of the eyes 49. Thus, when the arms 52 are freely disposed, the member 43 will serve automatically to lock itself frictionally with the U-shaped member 45 in the selected adjusted position along the member 45. To release the member 48 so that it may be moved lengthwise of the sides 46, it is merely necessary to grasp the eyes 53 with the fingers and to draw the arms 52 together, as indicated in dotted lines in FIGURE 10. When this is done, the shoulders 54 move inwardly and disengage the sides 46, so that the latter are no longer in frictional engagement with the shoulders 54 and the outer sides of the eyes 49. The combined follower and clamp member 48 may then be moved readily lengthwise of the U-shaped member 45 and clamped in the selected adjusted position, by merely releasing the arms 52, as should be obvious.

The use of the device shown in FIGURES 7 through 9 in conjunction with the file cards is substantially identical with the use of the devices shown in the prior forms of the invention, and no further description is believed to be necessary.

In FIGURES through 12, there is shown still another modification of the invention, wherein a U-shaped member 55 corresponding to the previously described U- shaped members is employed, and including elongated parallel sides 56 and a transverse bight portion 57 connecting the sides 56 at one pair of ends only. A combined card follower and clamp 58, adapted to be formed entirely from one section of wire or the like is provided, and comprises a pair of opposed inwardly opening U- shaped hook elements 59 and 6t), engageable about the outer sides of the members 56, as shown. The tops of the hook elements 59 and 66 are formed by opposed outwardly opening transverse U-shaped loops 61, corresponding sides of which are integrally connected through vertical loops or shoulders 62 with a lower transverse connecting bar 63, disposed beneath the sides 56. The other sides 64 of the loops 61 are likewise connected at their outer ends through vertical loops 65 with underlying transverse extensions 66, parallel to and spaced from the transverse bar 63.

The last-mentioned extensions 66, which underlie the sides 56 of member 55, are integrally connected at their inner ends with depending substantially vertical and preferably circular loops 67, disposed below the sides 56 and inwardly thereof, FIGURE 10. Elongated substantially vertical upstanding arms 68 are formed integral with the outer sides of loops 67 and connected therewith through the medium of curved shoulders 69, as best shown in FIGURE 10. These shoulders 69 and the upstanding arms 63 are disposed inwardly of the sides 56, and the arms 68 pass upwardly between the sides 61 and 64 and 63 and 66 of the opposed hooks 59 and 69, as clearly shown in FIGURE 12. The tops of the arms 68 carry integral grasping eyes 70, similar to the eyes 53 previously described.

The arms 63 and curved shoulders 69 are tensioned outwardly by the spring loops 67 so that when the member 53 is freely disposed the sides 56 of U-shaped memher will be frictionally clamped between the shoulders 69 and the vertical loops 62 and 65, as best shown in FIGURE 10. In this condition, the member 58 is frictionally locked to the U-shaped member 55 and will not moved longitudinally of the sides 56.

To release the member 58 for free movement along the sides 56, it is merely necessary to grasp the upper eye 7%) and draw the arms 68 together, as indicated in dotted lines in FIGURE 10, and this will disengage the shoulder 69 from the inner sides of the members 56, so that the latter are no longer frictionally locked to the clamping member 56, and the latter may be shifted freely along the sides 56, and again locked in the selected adjusted position, merely by releasing the arms 68. v

The general operation or use of the device illustrated in FIGURES 10 through 12, in connection with the file cards, is substantially identical to the use or operation of the devices shown in the prior forms of the invention, and no further description of the operation. is therefore deemed to the necessary.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

A file card clasp comprising a substantially U-shaped file card guide and support member including spaced substantially parallel sides engageable through openings in the file cards, a follower plate having a pair of spaced openings receiving said sides, a pair of opposed resilient arms disposed adjacent the back side of the follower plate, said arms terminating in resilient bight portions, a sleeve formed upon the lower end of the follower plate, extensions on corresponding ends of said resilient \bight portions engaged within said sleeve, means rigidly securing said extensions to the follower plate within said sleeve adjacent the lower edge, said arms having transverse upwardly resiliently urged parts extending generally towards each other from sad bight portions friction-ally engaging said sides and crossing said sides, and said arms having operating extensions secured to adjacent ends of and generally at right angles to said upwardly urged parts of the arms and adapted to be drawn together for resiliently downwardly shifting said parts out of frictional engagement with said sides to release the follower plate for movement along said sides.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 576,217 Mills Feb. 2, 1897 674,152 Axthelm May 14, 1901 786,477 Anderson Apr. 4, 1905 875,933 Kimes Ian. 7, 1908 957,423 Klepfer May 10, 1910 1,065,104 Best June 17, 1913 1,232,527 Gemmill July 10, 1917 1,493,835 Wirt May 13, 1924 2,472,567 Bruen June 7, 1949 

